The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Manipur government to submit a sealed cover report detailing the properties, buildings that were burned, partially burned, looted, trespassed, and encroached upon during the ongoing violence in the state. The report should include the names and addresses of the owners of these properties, as well as information on who is currently occupying them.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar also instructed the state government to outline the actions it has taken to ensure that individuals who have trespassed onto these properties are held accountable in accordance with the law.
Additionally, the Supreme Court sought a response from the state government regarding the release of funds for both temporary and permanent housing, as highlighted by the Justice Gita Mittal Committee.
The court scheduled the next hearing on the matter for after January 20, 2025. This case pertains to the ongoing violence in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
The conflict began on May 3, 2023, following a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM), which protested a directive by the Manipur High Court to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list. Since then, violence has engulfed the state, prompting the central government to deploy paramilitary forces to restore order.